An Avon Grove High School students works with a preschooler.
On Tuesday, October 7, Avon Grove School District launched the Little Friends Early Learning Lab, a preschool experience designed to prepare high school students for careers in education while providing high-quality early learning experiences for preschool-aged children.
Located at Avon Grove High School the Little Friends Early Learning Lab provides a unique real-world learning experience for high school students enrolled in Early Childhood I & II courses through the Family and Consumer Sciences department. Before participating, students must complete prerequisite Child Development coursework. Under the supervision of a certified teacher, preschoolers engage with high school students in a collaborative environment that benefits both age groups — helping young learners thrive while offering high school students valuable hands-on experience in early childhood education.
The Little Friends Pre-K curriculum is guided by the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, emphasizing developmentally appropriate practices in early literacy, math, social-emotional skills, and physical development. A structured literacy approach lays a strong foundation for reading. The curriculum integrates play-based, hands-on learning while aligning with state guidelines, ensuring that children are prepared academically and socially for kindergarten.
AGHS students enrolled in the Early Childhood I & II courses are guided by the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Practice. These students learn benchmarks across all domains of child development and apply them by crafting and implementing engaging, enriching, age-appropriate learning experiences for children in the Little Friends Early Learning Lab.
Students first complete the Child Development course before enrolling in these Pre-K courses, ensuring a strong foundation in child growth, and learning theory before engaging directly with preschoolers.
This innovative program addresses the urgent teacher shortage in Pennsylvania by inspiring the next generation of educators while providing preschoolers with high-quality learning opportunities in a nurturing environment.
“The Early Learning Lab is a win-win for our district,” said Dr. Scott DeShong, Superintendent of Avon Grove School District. “Our high school students gain invaluable career-focused experience, and our youngest learners benefit from additional attention, creativity, and engagement in a supportive environment.”
“This program is about opportunity,” added Michele Koenig, Program Director of the Little Friends Early Learning Lab at AGHS. “It gives high school students the chance to explore education as a career path while making a positive impact in the lives of children.”
The Little Friends Early Learning Lab reflects Avon Grove School District’s commitment to real-world learning experiences that prepare students for future success, while strengthening connections between schools, families, and the broader community.
